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Mary Avenue Overcrossing

The Mary Avenue Overcrossing project aims to relieve north-south traffic congestion in Sunnyvale, improve multimodal access between Moffett Park and other areas, and support smart growth in Moffett Park area.

The project would provide a multimodal connection from Mary and Almanor avenues, over US-101, SR-237 and Moffett Park LRT Station to 11th Avenue and Discovery Way (formerly E Street) in Moffett Park.

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Contact

Angela Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer, 408-730-7557

Progress

There are five different options for the project's conceptual design. This includes not doing the project. Council needed to select a project option for the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

On April 20, Council chose one of the options for the EIR. Council selected the option for two lanes for transit, shuttle, and high-occupancy vehicles. The option includes sidewalks and separate cycle track. But, the City will study all five options, any of which may become the final design. For all project options and to see an example of a cycle track see Details tab.

The City issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the EIR. The public comment period was from Oct. 8, 2021 to Nov. 8, 2021. We have reviewed all comments received. We will review the EIR scope to reflect these comments as needed. To view the NOP see Documents tab.

Next Steps

Fall 2022 - Draft EIR issued for public comments

Spring 2023 - Approval of Final EIR and selection of Preferred Option

Details

Map of location

As part of the EIR, we are analyzing the EIR project and four alternate options:

  • EIR Project: Two lanes for high occupancy vehicles (HOV) including transit, carpools, and shuttles with sidewalks and cycle track.*
  • Four alternate options:
  1. Four lanes of motor vehicle travel with sidewalks and cycle track.
  2. Two lanes of motor vehicle travel with sidewalks and cycle track.
  3. Pedestrian and bicycle overcrossing.
  4. No project, and removal of the overcrossing project from the General Plan.

*A cycle track is a dedicated protected bike track separate from the vehicle travel lane. It combines a separated bike path with the features of an on-street bike lane.

Background

Mary Avenue Overcrossing was included in the following City of Sunnyvale plans:

  • 1981 City of Sunnyvale General Plan
  • 1981 Transportation Element
  • 1997 Land Use and Transportation Element
  • 2004 Moffett Park Specific Plan
  • 2005 Traffic Impact Fee
  • 2011 Consolidated General Plan
  • 2013 Moffett Park Specific Plan Update
  • 2016 Peery Park Specific Plan
  • 2017 Land Use and Transportation Element
  • 2017 Traffic Impact Fee
  • 2021 Moffett Park Specific Plan Update (in progress)

In 2007, the City of Sunnyvale completed a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)  for Mary Avenue Extension. Many members of the community provided comments on the Draft ElR. The City responded to community comments. The following were the key concerns:

  • traffic congestion
  • traffic speed
  • pedestrian and bicyclist safety
  • air pollution and emissions
  • noise
  • property values
  • smart growth
  • transit access
  • merchant revenues

The City Council certified the Final ElR and approved the Mary Avenue Extension project in October 2008. In 2009, the Sunnyvale West Neighborhood Association filed a legal challenge against the City. The legal challenge was about the adequacy of the ElR document, and the use of a 2020 traffic baseline for the traffic analysis. The Superior Court granted the petition in 2009. The 6th District Court of Appeal upheld the Superior Court decision in 2010. Because of this, the City Council decertified the EIR and voided the project approval in 2011.

Without an adequate EIR, no action has occurred on the project since that time. In 2015, City Council directed staff to prepare an updated scope. This scope included preparing an EIR with updated options and a robust outreach. In 2016, the City selected a consultant team to begin updating the EIR.

The Office of the City Attorney (OCA) advised the project team of a recent case law. The case law involved a multi-project EIR that did not identify a project option up front. The courts ruled that EIR as violating California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The violation was due to the EIR not having an "accurate, stable and finite" project description for the public. The OCA advised the project team to select a project option for the purposes of the EIR. Regardless of the project selection for the EIR, the City will study all five options equally in the EIR. The City Council will select the preferred project option after completion and acceptance of the Final EIR.

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2021
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